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joeconn4 t1_jeaokkv wrote

Reply to comment by MichEalJOrdanslambo in Vermont House considers increasing DMV fees by FearandLoathinginBTV

I posted on another thread and got downvoted hugely, but I believe in this so I'll post again...

I'm in favor of a toll system on all the federal highways in Vermont. EZ Pass, something a lot of us need if we drive highways in other states. With NY removing their tollbooths on the Thruway and going to EZ Pass I now either have to pay higher tolls the few times a year I drive the Thruway or I gotta buy an EZ Pass from NY. In other states I gotta avoid certain roads to avoid the "no EZ Pass" fees. It's not a big bucks thing, but it's a PITA thing. If Vermont added EZ Pass we'd pay like $15/year for each device. But, and here's what I'm surprised residents of this state can't get behind, I'd set the tolls for travel on I89/I91/I93 at $0 for in-state EZ Passes and whatever we want to set them at for out-of-state EZ Passes. $3 for travel on I91 from the Mass border to WRJ? $5 from WRJ to the Canadian border on I89? With all the tourists coming up to enjoy what this state offers, you can't tell me that small toll wouldn't amount to substantial revenue raised from people who don't live here. For me, that's the way to do it with minimal impact on Vermont residents.

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MichEalJOrdanslambo t1_jeartyx wrote

I fully support this. People in every other New England/tri state are so used to it no one even pays attention. I think it’s $5 to enter Maine on 95. Put in the tolls use revenue to keep our highway in good shape and other general highway infrastructure.

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illusivealchemist t1_jebeq31 wrote

it works well in states that you need to get through to get somewhere, like connecticut if you're driving from NYC/95-S to Boston. but I think it will just end up hurting locals' wallets more than benefit from tourists/visitors.

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joeconn4 t1_jeeflfk wrote

Help me out with how this would hurt locals' wallets more than benefit from tourists/visitors.

The legislature is proposing a $15/year hike on vehicle registrations. I don't think any of should be surprised when that passes because a lot of our representatives are going to say "it's only $15". For that registration increase, we don't get anything that we don't already have. I'm saying don't increase the registration fee, add in EZ Pass with the same $15 annual fee. That way when a Vermont resident travels outside the state and uses toll roads, they pay the lower EZ Pass rate vs a higher no-EZ Pass charge. Then set the toll rate on I89/I91/I93 at $0 for people with Vermont EZ Passes, but charge a couple $ for use of those roads by out-of-state EZ Pass drivers.

You already have some Vermont residents who drive on toll highways in other states buying EZ Pass from other states. Those of us who don't end up with the hassle of having to pay the toll plus the no-EZ Pass charge. EZ Pass works on highways in Maine, NH, NY, Mass, RI, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, OH, IN, KY, IL, MN, and coming soon to Georgia. That's a lot of miles of highways that Vermont drivers would save a few $ if they had an EZ Pass.

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VermontArmyBrat t1_jebq5u7 wrote

A NY ezpass, which is what I use does not have an annual fee. You pay a deposit for the device which is refunded when you return it. No annual fee. I once got a NJ ezpass after learning it would save me $ on the NJ turnpike only to discover it had a monthly fee to keep it. The ny pass does not.

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[deleted] t1_jeb2li6 wrote

[deleted]

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joeconn4 t1_jeev2cs wrote

Not sure. But other states have different tolls depending on if the driver has an EZ Pass from that state or an EZ Pass from another state or no EZ Pass.

The NY State Thruway, Albany to Buffalo... If you have a NY State EZ Pass the toll is $12.18. If you have an EZ Pass from another state the toll is $14.02. If you don't have an EZ Pass the toll is $15.84.

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VermontArmyBrat t1_jebppof wrote

Toll roads that exist today were toll roads before the interstate system was created. Or, built after the interstate system but not using any Federal money. Tolls can not be added in VT as they were not toll roads before the interstate system was built. And, if we could the tolls would have to pay the full cost of maintenance as the current 90% from feds would end.

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joeconn4 t1_jeey2sy wrote

Thanks for that info. That would be a tough nut to crack.

Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956. I93 in NH was built in 1957. Tolls in Hooksett.

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